The lecture “Molecular Photovoltaics and the Stunning Rise of Perovskite Solar Cells”, which will be delivered by Prof. Michael Grätzel, Director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland in the lecture hall CH1 on 3rd March 2025 at 15:00.
Photovoltaic cells utilizing molecular dyes, semiconductor quantum dots, or perovskite pigments as light harvesters have emerged as credible contenders to conventional solar devices. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) use a three-dimensional nanostructured junction for photovoltaic electricity generation. They offer unique advantages in terms of highly efficient electricity production from ambient light, ease of manufacturing, flexibility and transparency, bifacial light harvesting, and aesthetic appeal (see Figure). These qualities have enabled industrial-scale production and commercial applications. DSCs also paved the way for the development of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which are currently being intensively researched as one of the most promising future PV technologies. The solar conversion efficiency of solution-processed laboratory cells has now reached 26.7%. Current research is focused on determining their long-term operational stability and scaling up production to large modules. The lecture will present most recent findings in these revolutionary photovoltaic domains. Prof. Grätzel is recognized as the world’s most-cited chemist, with 2,250 publications, 504,000 citations, and an H-index of 311 (as of January 2025).